Henderson County Fiscal Court received $200,000 to alleviate flooding at Henderson City-County Air-port, and ConnectGRADD, Inc. (CGI) received $55,000 to expand broadband coverage in Webster County.

The Henderson project will divert the main drainage ditch that serves the City-County Airport from its current exit into Canoe Creek to a direct exit into the Ohio River. The new 1,470-foot drainage way will mitigate flooding issues that impact the airport and its three business tenants—Don Davis Aviation, Innovative Workflow Technologies, and Ron Collins Avionics.

The ConnectGRADD project will allow for construction of a new broadband transmission tower to serve residents in the Wheatcroft area of western Webster County. The 58-tower CGI system currently provides affordable, high-speed Internet access to more than 3,500 rural customers in Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, McLean, Ohio, Union and Webster counties.

“Working to grow the economy and create jobs is our number one commitment,” said DRA federal co-chairman Chris Masingill. “These investments continue our mission to pave the way for a better future by helping create jobs, build communities and improve lives in the Delta region.”

DRA, established by Congress in 2000, seeks to enhance economic development and improve the qual-ity of life for the 10 million residents of the greater Mississippi Delta region—comprised of 252 coun-ties and parishes in Ala., Miss., La., Ark., Tenn., Mo, Ill., and Ky. (including Henderson, McLean, Union and Webster in the GRADD area).

Utilizing 45 local development districts as front-line project managers, DRA funding supports a wide array of job creation and community development projects.

In twelve project cycles, DRA has leveraged over $2.7 billion in public and private investment to create or retain 41,000 jobs, train nearly 30,000 workers, and provide more than 69,000 families with access to clean water and sewer service.

For more information about DRA funding, please visit www.DRA.gov or contact GRADD community and economic development associate director Joanna Shake at 270-926-4433.